Signing the times at school

Children at a Wyre primary school ‘sang’ in sign language and wore silly hats to raise cash and awareness for a deaf charity.

Nateby Primary School is leading the way for educating children on the subject as they teamed up with charity Sign Health.

Little monsters William Houghton and Luke Bilsborough

The school, which already has a well-established sign language club, performed songs in sign language to parents and raised £66.

This is the fourth year the school has taken part in the day and teaching assistant and level six in sign language, Jackie Ryan said the children really enjoyed the day.

She said: “It was a really good day and by getting involved we’re helping venerable children and adults to gain access to the health service. Sign Health write a new song every year and this year it was ‘reach out your hand’. Being deaf can often isolate people and the song had an anti-bullying message.”

The 66 students at the school were taught the song in assembly although some picked it up very easily thanks to a thriving signing club before school.

“We have 22 people coming to the group and most of the children could introduce themselves and talk about basic topics such as the weather, sports and food,” Jackie said. “Some are very fluent and could easily hold a conversation. “These events are good because they raise awareness of deaf people.”

The school doesn’t currently have any deaf students but Jackie, who has been at Nateby for eight years, says the school would love to take some on. She said: “We’re fully equipped to take deaf children and we’d really love to if the opportunity came along,”